FWL Season 5 Rumors/Updates

[BamBamBunglow]

Rumours currently swirling that Bad News Barrett has tendered his notice to WWE and will not be renewing at the end of the current contract. Reports state his reasons as "not happy with his current role within the company".

Ryback sent out a tweet saying he calls dibs on Wasteland and the spinning mule kick. Apparently, he's not content with having started using CM Punk's step up knee in the corner, and now wants to steal any other move that looks less crap than Shellshock. (the tweet is real, I'm just mocking Ryback).

[Fnord]

- It looks like Chris Jericho will be working WWE events after WrestleMania 32. He's being advertised for the April 12th SmackDown tapings in San Diego.

[Fnord]

Japanese wrestling reporter Enuhito noted on Twitter that Karl Anderson just revealed he's going to WWE. Anderson appeared with partner Doc Gallows in what was apparently their final New Japan Wrestling appearance today. They defeated The Briscoes the day before. Anderson reportedly told fans he wants to come back but has to go find out "who he is." No updated word yet on Doc Gallows coming in but he's expected to join Anderson.

[Fnord]

- We noted last week when Roman Reigns was pulled from WWE live events due to nose surgery that he was still scheduled for last night's RAW and tonight's SmackDown tapings. Reigns did not appear on RAW last night and is no longer listed for tonight's SmackDown.

[Fnord]

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

- WWE released financial data this week that revealed Shane McMahon has not signed a contract with the company as a performer and he has not been hired for an executive role. WWE expects to pay Shane in excess of $120,000 for his role as a performer leading to WrestleMania 32.

[Fnord]

Updates on some position changes.

Michael Elgin has been moved to Non-Title as he was last seen in NJPW.

Neville has been moved to Main as he was last seen in NXT.

Zack Ryder has been moved to Non-Title as he was last seen in NXT.

Fenix has moved to Mid as he won the something of the Gods Title in Lucha Underground! lol

[Fnord]

Neville has moved back to Non-Title as he was on Superstars!

[Fnord]

- PWInsider reports that Lana has been working out at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando lately.

[Fnord]

- WWE has started featuring Seth Rollins in promotional material for WWE SummerSlam in August. Rollins has been out of action since tearing his ACL and MCL during a match with Kane last November. He was expected to be out of action for six to nine months, which would put his return between May and August. As noted last week, the official Facebook page of the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center posted the photo below of Rollins, John Cena and Cesaro rehabbing at the WWE Performance Center earlier this month.

[Fnord]

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE officials are interested in New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kazuchika Okada. The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion worked for TNA in 2010 and 2011.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE officials are interested in Okada because he's tall. Okada is billed at 6-foot-3. NJPW has offered a five-year deal to Okada and he's said he will remain loyal to the company but it's not known yet if he accepted the deal. It's believed NJPW would offer more money than WWE just to keep him there.

WWE is expected to make several aggressive talent signings from Mexico, Japan and the UK over the next few months. There are reportedly looking at other Japanese organizations and are said to be interested in one top name from Lucha Underground and AAA. No word yet on who that wrestler is but he has never worked for a mainstream US organization and is unhappy with the creative in Lucha Underground.

[Fnord]

Zack Ryder has returned to Mid.

Sami Zayn has returned to Non-Title.

[Fnord]

Neville suffered a broken ankle and broken shinbone on a baseball slide during last night's match with Chris Jericho at WWE RAW in Pittsburgh. The finish of the match had to be improvised due to the injury.

[¿PapaPancho?]

Neville suffered a broken ankle and broken shinbone on a baseball slide during last night's match with Chris Jericho at WWE RAW in Pittsburgh. The finish of the match had to be improvised due to the injury.

Season hasn't even started and already hit with the injury bug. You serious bro!?

[Fnord]

As noted, Neville suffered a broken ankle and broken shinbone on a baseball slide during Monday's WWE RAW match against Chris Jericho.

Neville underwent more tests in Orlando at the WWE Performance Center on Monday and WWE's Dr. Chris Amann reports that he will not need surgery. Neville is expected back in 2-3 months. Amann told WWE's website:

"Neville had some repeat testing done in Orlando today which included X-Rays and a cat scan of his ankle. Upon further review, it has been determined that surgical repair of the ankle would not be necessary. Instead, he will be treated nonoperatively with a cast and crutches. The estimated return for this type of fracture is usually 2 to 3 months."

[Fnord]

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

It turns out that Bray Wyatt vs. Brock Lesnar at last Saturday's WWE Roadblock event was changed to Wyatt and Luke Harper vs. Lesnar in a Handicap Match where Wyatt did not tag in because Wyatt is injured.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Wyatt is dealing with a pretty significant back injury, apparently suffered within the past week. There's no word yet on how long he will be out of action but we will keep you updated.

Wyatt's last match came on March 8th, an eight-man match at the SmackDown tapings. His last singles match came on March 7th, the No DQ RAW match against Dean Ambrose.